New Delhi: On Thursday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin praised PM Narendra Modi’s endeavours to resolve the Ukraine standoff stating that Indian leader has good ideas for peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Putin told an audience Modi is one of the world leaders. The two men have a warm and personal relationship and personally friendly but Modi continues to call for the end of the conflict, Putin said.
The Russian leader stated that Modi has indeed expressed deep interest in the matter. Putin says the Indian PM is seeking “solutions” that would please both sides and Moscow is thankful for his offers. Putin also congratulated Modi on their “ongoing efforts towards peaceful resolution”, noting that the matter should be resolved through peaceful means.
India has said its ideal position in the war is ‘principled and humanitarian’ and Modi has made several appeals for peace.
The comments are part of a many-year pattern. Modi told Putin in September 2022 that it was not the time of war at the meeting held in Samarkand, capital of the Central Asian nation of Uzbekistan, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. He stated that the conflict would not be resolved on the battlefield during talks in Moscow in July and weeks later, he made his way to Ukraine. There, he informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the two sides should resume dialogue without delay and India is ready to play an active role in paving the way for peace.
At his meeting with Putin in Kazan during the 12th BRICS summit in October 2024, Modi once again assured him India’s willingness to provide “all possible assistance” for a peaceful resolution. More recently, Modi said India will make all possible attempts to help bring an end to this bloody conflict in September when he received birthday wishes from Putin.
This has led India to maintain a delicate balance of relations with Moscow, along with those with Washington and Kyiv, which has caught the eye of the international community. Following the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Kyiv, the Ukrainian President stated that his country does not desire to be playing with the US or Russia, but with India.
Putin’s recent comments indicate no signs of progress or a new diplomatic move. They do indicate that Moscow is openly accepting New Delhi’s voice of dialogue.
